Comparison

Fx Cal vs SidePilot

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Fx Cal

This app acts as a specialized browser for Fedex Express pilots to access their private website. It allows for downloading and storing trip information, submitting requests, and managing VIPS events. An optional subscription unlocks advanced features like viewing open time and participating in trip swaps.

Highlights
  • Site-specific browser for Fedex Express pilot website
  • Download and local storage of VIPS calendar and trip information
  • Submittal of drop requests
  • One-touch login with stored credentials
  • Send VIPS events to iPhone Calendar
  • Integrated trip swap bulletin board
  • Next-generation bidding solution for iPad
Features
Read full description

NOTICE !!! FxCal accesses a private website requiring user authentication and is useful to Fedex Express pilots only. APPLICATION DESCRIPTION FxCal is a site specific browser for the Fedex Express pilot web site. Just like a browser, it can cache information for later display, only optimized for the small screen. FxCal is so easy to use with one hand you will be tempted to ‘trip trade while driving’. Please do not. The basic FxCal program provides download and local storage of VIPS calendar and trip information, and submittal of drop requests. Password and eGrid can be stored for one touch login. VIPS events can be sent directly to your iPhone Calendar. An Auto Poll subscription allows viewing of open time, submittal of makeup and trades, and allows the program to refresh open time at preset intervals. A two month subscription is included with initial app purchase. FxCal provides an integrated trip swap bulletin board for pilots to post, view and reply. On the iPad, FxCal is a fully functional, next generation bidding solution! FxCal is not a ‘bot’ that bypasses codes or does automated trip trades. A tutorial is available at the link below. Please do not purchase this app if you are NOT a Fedex Express pilot as no refunds will be given. FxCal is not affiliated with or endorsed by Fedex Express.

About

SidePilot

This portable ground station app connects to ArduPilot drones via WiFi, Bluetooth, or cellular. It provides real-time drone data, waypoint management, and advanced flight modes like Follow Me and Orbit. It also includes ADSB integration and live video streaming capabilities.

Highlights
  • Real-time drone telemetry display
  • Waypoint and geofence creation
  • ADSB aircraft integration
  • Follow Me and Orbit flight modes
  • Live video streaming
  • Parameter editing and calibration
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

This is the BEST ardupilot companion app. Works with ArduPilot autopilot via WiFi, Bluetooth Low Energy or Cellular connection, including 3DR Solo. Supports ExpressLRS MAVLink telemetry. NOTE: You must have either WiFi, Cellular or Serial Bluetooth connection to your drone. User Manual is available at https://sidepilot.net Features: • Supports ArduCopter, ArduPlane and ArduRover via ELRS, WiFi or Bluetooth. • Displays current drone location, with information such as altitude, yaw, pitch and roll. • Internet ADSB to display nearby aircraft and provide warnings. • Create, edit and delete waypoints and geofences. • Audible alerts for important information. • Edit, save and load parameters. • Perform a Pre-Flight checklist with live weather information. • Low battery warnings and alerts. • View onboard video, and live stream it to YouTube. • Record telemetry logs and export for sharing. • Follow Me - Have your drone follow you using your devices GPS location, or visually with Object Tracking. • Orbit mode - Automatically orbit an object for a fantastic cinematic shots! • Grid Waypoints - Create a survey grid to fly. • Tap to fly - Tap a location on the map to send your drone there! • Perform calibrations at the field. • DroneCAN Viewer and parameter editor. • And many, many more... Quick-start guide (Using a WiFi connection): 1. Turn on drone and connect using WiFi. 2. Start SidePilot, navigate to settings and select either WiFi UDP, TCP or 3DR Solo (as applicable). 3. If setting up WiFi manually, click on WiFi Settings and input the correct IP address and port that the MAVLink protocol is running over. 4. Go back to the main screen and press the connect button on the top right. The app will begin displaying information about the drone. If not, double check your WiFi settings. Please post suggestions and bug reports on the SidePilot Facebook page or via email to tom@sidepilot.net WARNING: Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life. Note: iPads without cellular do not have GPS capability unless tethered to a iOS Device with cellular, and even then it is poor and not suitable for navigation.

Screenshots

Fx Cal1 screens
SidePilot4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Fx Cal at 4.6 against SidePilot's 4.0. Fx Cal also leads on review sentiment (67% vs 57%) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). SidePilot's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 4 months). On price, ratings volume, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Fx Cal costs $13.99 and SidePilot $13.99 up front. Fx Cal sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. SidePilot asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Fx Cal holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 36 and 98 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of Fx Cal's written reviews are positive against 57% of SidePilot's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Fx Cal ships an update every 4 months, SidePilot every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on July 6, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Fx Cal versus SidePilot: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFx CalSidePilot
Price$13.99$13.99
Rating4.6 (36 ratings) — better4.0 (98 ratings)
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews — better57.1% of reviews
Number of ratings3698 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank—#190 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size21 MB117 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperkbaumTom Brereton

Customer experience

Fx Cal

All ratings36 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative11.1%
Written reviews24 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral4.2%
Negative29.2%

SidePilot

All ratings98 ratings
Positive70.4%
Neutral10.2%
Negative19.4%
Written reviews56 reviews
Positive57.1%
Neutral12.5%
Negative30.4%

Bugs and requests

Fx Cal

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

SidePilot

Reported bugs

51 issues
  • App does not connect to drone
  • No video feed from GoPro
  • Firmware update failures
  • Controller not pairing
  • Drone stuck in 'waiting for Solo' state
Show 46 more
  • App freezes or crashes during operation
  • Drone becomes unstable during landing
  • GoPro recording not triggered
  • Parameter changes not syncing
  • Inaccurate battery level warnings
  • Compass calibration errors
  • Map not loading
  • Laggy video feed
  • App crashes when pressing record button
  • App closes constantly
  • Drone crashes due to app malfunction
  • Camera disconnects during flight
  • Lost connectivity during flight
  • Drone stuck in 'Preflight Update' mode
  • WiFi connection alert 'No internet connection'
  • Gimbal left-right movement not working
  • GoPro Hero 4 Black control issues
  • Drone gets squirrely and throttles up during landing
  • Drone flips over and destroys props
  • Drone does not shut off
  • Issues with controller setup (A/B buttons)
  • App freezes or shuts down when changing button configurations
  • Functions showing as 'unsupported'
  • Parameters not loading from vehicle
  • Calibrations not functioning
  • Laggy live feed
  • Live feed shows drone in air after landing
  • GPS position does not match map in PRC
  • App crashes when trying to connect Solo to app
  • Live feed freezes during flight
  • Switching from video to photo freezes app
  • App closes constantly
  • Camera disconnected and lost connectivity
  • Pop-up 'swipe to arm' cannot be dismissed
  • Drone crashes into water
  • Lags horribly
  • Feed completely freezes
  • App is useless
  • Almost caused loss of drone
  • Lag and photo function issues
  • Video lags
  • Freezes mid-flight when switching modes
  • Awful lag issues with live feed
  • Developer stopped responding to questions
  • GPS position does not match map
  • App crashes every time to connect Solo to app

Requested features

11 requests
  • French language option
  • Ability to update Solo 3DR
  • Fix GoPro control issues
  • Fix compass calibration errors
  • Add support for GoPro video settings in air
Show 6 more
  • Add imperial measurements
  • Improve waypoint setup practicality
  • Fix GPS position matching map in PRC
  • Add lighting configuration options
  • Add smart shots functionality
  • Add A/B button functionality

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Fx Cal

One-time1
  • AutoPoll$17.99
None

SidePilot

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Fx Cal free?
Fx Cal costs $13.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is SidePilot free?
SidePilot costs $13.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Fx Cal or SidePilot?
Fx Cal is rated higher. Fx Cal averages 4.6 out of 5 from 36 ratings, while SidePilot averages 4.0 from 98 ratings.
Do Fx Cal or SidePilot have ads?
Neither Fx Cal nor SidePilot shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Fx Cal or SidePilot?
Fx Cal ships an update every 4 months, and SidePilot every 6 weeks. Most recently, Fx Cal was updated on July 6, 2026 and SidePilot on September 29, 2026.

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